If fall had a signature dessert, these apple crisp dessert bars would be it. They have everything we love about classic apple crisp—tender spiced apples, a buttery crumb topping, and that warm, cozy aroma—layered into neat, sliceable bars that are perfect for sharing. With a soft shortbread crust on the bottom and a golden crisp topping on top, every bite feels comforting and familiar in the best possible way.
These bars are ideal for bake sales, holiday gatherings, or quiet afternoons when you want something sweet with a cup of coffee. They’re nostalgic without being fussy and sturdy enough to travel, yet still soft and cozy once you bite in. It’s the kind of dessert that makes the kitchen smell amazing and feels like a hug on a plate.
Tips for Perfect Results
A few simple tips will help your apple crisp bars turn out just right.
- Choose the right apples. Crisp or tart varieties like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp hold their shape and balance the sweetness.
- Slice the apples thinly. This helps them bake evenly and creates tidy layers.
- Don’t skip pre-baking the crust. That quick bake keeps the shortbread from getting soggy under the apples.
- Use cold butter for the topping. Chilled butter creates those irresistible crumbly clusters.
- Bake until bubbly. Seeing the apple filling bubble around the edges means it’s perfectly cooked.
- Let them cool before slicing. Cooling time helps the layers set so the bars cut cleanly.
Before You Begin – Here’s What You’ll Need :
Variations and Serving Ideas
These apple crisp bars are wonderful as written, but they’re also easy to customize.
- Extra spice: Add nutmeg or apple pie spice to the apple filling.
- Oat topping: Replace part of the flour in the crisp with rolled oats for more texture.
- Caramel drizzle: Drizzle warm caramel sauce over the bars just before serving.
- Dessert upgrade: Serve slightly warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
- Holiday-ready: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping for extra crunch.
They’re just as good served warm as they are at room temperature.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
These bars are as practical as they are delicious.
- Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Refrigerator: Keeps well chilled and tastes great cold or slightly warmed.
- Freezing: Freeze bars for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
- Make ahead: Bake a day in advance—the flavors only get better.
Apple Crisp Dessert Bars
- Total Time: 1hour 12 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
Description
Apple Crisp Bars are easy to make from scratch—promise. This recipe uses a basic shortbread crust topped with apple slices and a simple flavorful crisp.
Ingredients
Shortbread Crust :
½ cup (113 g or 1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
¼ cup (50 g) light brown sugar, packed
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 ¼ cups (147 g) all-purpose flour
Apple Filling :
4 cups (500 g) apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced (about 4–5 medium apples)
2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
Crisp Topping :
½ cup (100 g) packed light brown sugar
¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
¾ cup (94 g) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons (85 g) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
Instructions
Shortbread Crust :
1. Preheat oven to 350º F. Line a 8×8 pan with parchment paper, leaving extra hanging over the ends, spray with cooking spray.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add vanilla and mix until combined. Add flour and mix until combined and dough is crumbly.
3. Press dough evenly into bottom of prepared pan. Bake for 12-14 minutes, until dough is slightly puffed. Remove from oven and set aside, maintain oven temperature.
Apple Filling :
1. Peel, core and chop apples into slices (this apple peeler/corer does the job in minutes). In a large bowl, combine apples, flour and sugar. Mix until apples are thoroughly coated. Arrange apples on baked crust.
Crisp Topping :
1. In a medium bowl, mix together first five ingredients. With a pastry cutter or two knives, cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Spread topping over apples in an even layer.
2. Bake uncovered at 350º F for 45 minutes, or until topping is golden and apple mixture is bubbly. Let cool, lift apple crisp using the extra parchment paper at the ends as handles, and cut into bars.
Notes
Best apples for baking: Choose crisp or tart apples like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp (or a combination of both!). Avoid sweeter or softer apples, as they can make the filling mushy.
If doubling the recipe, bake it in a metal 9×13-inch pan (glass pans retain heat longer and may overcook the crust). The baking time stays the same.
Store apple crisp bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator or at room temperature for up to 5 days.
You can freeze them for up to 1 month. Once the bars have completely cooled, wrap them in plastic wrap and place them in the freezer. Thaw in the refrigerator before bringing to room temperature.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 57 minutes
Final Encouragement
Apple crisp dessert bars are the kind of recipe you’ll find yourself reaching for every fall—and honestly, probably beyond. They’re cozy, buttery, and full of real apple flavor, all wrapped up in an easy-to-serve bar that feels both homey and special.
If you love classic apple desserts and want something that’s perfect for sharing (or quietly sneaking from the fridge), this is one to save. Warm, nostalgic, and always welcome 🍎🍂✨